Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam today expressed grave concern over yet another allegation of detainees being beaten up by warders at the Simpang Renggam detention centre in Johor.

The latest incident which allegedly happened at 3am on Wednesday involved 11 cell mates believed to be held on remand.

A source within the detention centre told malaysiakini that two of the 11 victims were seriously injured by baton-wielding officers after a misunderstanding.

One of them allegedly refused medical attention, hoping that the evidence of abuse on his bodies would be shown to the relevant authorities soon.

Siva said that Suhakam is in the midst of drafting a letter to the prison authorities urging them to look into the complaints.

"This is not the first allegation that has been reported to us. Several months ago there was another major incident and it doesn't speak well of the whole situation," he said.

Calls to the detention centre went unanswered.

Giving support

On Jan 3, a similar incident occurred in Simpang Renggam involving 40 inmates and more and a dozen of them receiving out-patient treatment later.

The incident sparked visits by a Suhakam delegation led by Siva Subramaniam which was followed by a visit from MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu.

Both leaders noted different findings - Siva claimed there were clearly human rights violations and evidence of beatings, while Samy refuted the allegations but conceded that the area the centre was overcrowded and lacked proper water supply.

The source in Simpang Renggam added that since the visit by the two individuals, conditions at the camp had improved.

"There is now a TV set, a 'game set', water problem has been resolved and mattresses were supplied. Now, these people who were beaten say they need our support," said the detainee.

The detention centre holds some 4,000 inmates detained without trial under the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985